Summer Risk Management Hub: Stay Safe, Prepared, and Audit-Ready

Get targeted school risk management guidance for district leaders, maintenance teams, and IT staff during the summer months.

Toolkit

June 11, 2026

Summer break is when maintenance employees tackle straggling work orders, grounds crews keep property well-groomed, and teachers prepare classrooms for students’ return. Summer work ramps up the risk of heat illness, back strains, chemical exposure, and other workplace injuries. Use this hub to find the resources you need to stay safe and compliant this summer.

Start Here: 3 Steps to a Safer Summer

Step 1. Complete Summer District Audit Report Items

Complete these action items this summer and stay on track to complete your state-mandated district audit report by August 31.

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Step 2. Learn How Coverage Applies to Summer Projects

This short article explains how coverage applies to district employees, students, and volunteers working on summer projects.

Step 3. Streamline In-Service Training at No Cost

Streamline your in-service with on-demand, no-cost training on topics that matter to schools, including compliance.

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Key Compliance Dates

July 31 - Safe and Supportive Schools Program reporting

Aug. 31 - District Audit Report

Aug. 31 - AI training for cybersecurity coordinators

Ongoing - Safety and Security Committee meetings (at least once during the summer)

Top Summer Hazards

Slips, trips, and falls cause about 30% of workplace injuries that result in missed workdays and cost approximately $50,000 per claim.

Common Risks

Water, grease, or oil on floors
Cluttered walkways
Improper footwear for the job
Inadequate lighting
Uneven walking surfaces
Unsafe behaviors such as ignoring wet spots on floors and using chairs as ladders

5 Quick Wins

Mark uneven walking surfaces with brightly colored paint until they can be repaired.

Practice good housekeeping: Wipe up spills, clear walkways, organize storage closets.
Use Caution: Wet Floor signs.
Never stand on furniture. Take time to get a ladder.
Report/address hazards timely: leaking equipment, rugs with rolled-up edges, broken stairs or floorboards
Wear the right shoes for the job.

Lessons from Round Rock ISD

Round Rock ISD works with a vendor to provide auxiliary staff with footwear designed for their roles. Employees receive subsidies based on need.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Resources

Mastering Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention
Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention Tips by Job Role
Employee Training Toolkit
Slips, Trips, and Falls Inspection Checklist
New: Interactive, Online Courses: Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention; Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention for Operations

Common Risks

High temperature and humidity (heat index)
Certain health conditions and medications
Personal protective equipment that limits airflow
Heat-producing equipment
Lack of acclimatization

Assign employees to work in pairs and monitor each other for signs of heat stress, especially in remote areas.

3 Quick Wins for Supervisors

Monitor heat index, which reflects how hot it feels.
Rotate crews and complete work in the early morning or late evening.
Provide cooling and ventilation for hot indoor areas (kitchens, boiler rooms).

3 Quick Wins for Employees

Hydrate: Don't wait until you're thirsty.
Take frequent breaks of at least five minutes inside or in shaded areas.
Monitor yourself and your co-workers for heat stress symptoms.

Lessons from Arlington ISD

Arlington ISD's heat safety plan includes electrolyte popsicles to help employees stay hydrated. The district also purchased shade structures for employees working on HVAC units.

Chemical-powered cleaners, floor strippers, pesticides, and other products can harm the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.

Common Risks

General purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, bathroom disinfectants, degreasers, and sanitizers
Floor care products such as strippers, waxes, sealers, and finishes
Paints, thinners, adhesives, and solvents
Pesticides, herbicides, and weed control products

A 50-year-old janitor died of carbon monoxide poisoning while using a propane-powered floor buffer in an unventilated area.

5 Quick Wins

Comply with the Texas Hazard Communication Act.
Don't mix chemicals unless the label says it's safe.
Don't transfer chemicals into unlabled containers.
Maintain adequate ventilation, especially in small rooms or enclosed areas.
Refer to each chemical's safety data sheet for safe-handling instructions and required personal protective equipment.

Resources

Material handling injuries account for approximately 30% of lost workdays.

Common Risks

Moving desks, chairs, tables, file cabinets, and classroom equipment
Removing trash and recycling
Unloading supplies
Handling cleaning supplies, chemical containers, paper products, and maintenance tools

Safe lifting technique includes bending at the knees, lifting with the legs, and keeping loads close to the body.

5 Quick Wins

Lift properly.
Clear your path.
Get help with heavy or awkward loads.
Push lift aids instead of pulling for better control.
Store heavy or bulky items on middle shelves.

Video: See how hydraulic lift tables help Arlington ISD's library team protect against injuries.

Resources

Employee Training Kit
New: On-Demand Training Course - Back Injury Prevention and Ergonomics
The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Aches at Work

More Summer Safety Resources

Need Expert Support?

TASB Risk Solutions Consultant Javier Cano trains a Fund member's auxiliary team on heat stress — TASB Risk Solutions Consultant Javier Cano trains a Fund member's auxiliary team to avoid heat stress.

The Fund specializes in managing the unique risks facing Texas public education entities. Make your regionally based TASB risk solutions consultant your first call for tailored services at no additional cost:

Safety program reviews, consultations, and recommendations
Leadership and employee training that addresses your organization’s leading causes of loss
Worksite inspections and employee observations
Loss history review and trend analysis
Interactive, on-demand workplace safety courses tailored for schools

Risk Management Services

TASB Risk Management Fund is a self-insured, nonprofit risk pool of more than 1,000 Texas public education organizations — Texas’ largest — collaborating to share risk, protect resources, and succeed together.